A client with a new prescription for metformin 500 mg orally twice daily at breakfast and dinner asks the nurse, 'What if I forget to take my medication with a meal?' Which instruction should the nurse provide?

Question: A client with a new prescription for metformin 500 mg orally twice daily at breakfast and dinner asks the nurse, 'What if I forget to take my medication with a meal?' Which instruction should the nurse provide?

Answer options:

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, even if it's not with food.
• Take two doses at the next meal to make up for the missed dose. ✅ Skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule with the next meal.
• Take the medication with a small snack if a meal is not immediately available.

Correct answer: Skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule with the next meal.

Explanation: If a dose of metformin is missed, the client should skip that dose and resume their regular schedule. Taking two doses at once or taking it without food increases the risk of gastrointestinal side effects and hypoglycemia, though less common with metformin monotherapy, can still occur.